Italian Ricco grabs second stage win after late breakaway
There are 12 more stages left, with the finale on the Champs Elysee in Paris on 27 July.
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Sunday, 13, Jul 2008 05:02
Italian Riccardo Ricco won the ninth stage of the Tour De France in Bagneres de Bigorre after a late breakaway.
Ricco added to his win on stage six by crossing the line one minute and 13 seconds ahead of Russian Vladimir Efimkin.
The Saunier Duval rider completed the 224km stage in five hours, 39 minutes and 28 seconds after breaking away on the Col d'Aspin.
Team Columbia rider Kim Kirchen held on to his yellow jersey after finishing in the chasing pack, while pre-race favourite Cadel Evans crashed midway through the stage before rejoining the race.
The stage took the riders from Toulouse to Bagneres de Bigorre and included seven climbs including category one efforts at Peyresourde and Aspin passes.
Ricco shot through the field up the hills and then managed to keep his lead despite the advancing peloton.
AG2r-La Mondiale rider Efimkin was second while team-mate Cyril Dessel of France was a further 13 seconds back in third.
Evans started the day in second place overall but missed a turn and had a heavy tumble. He suffered cuts to his arm, leg and back and received treatment before continuing the race.
Ricco said he was always confident of adding to his stage win on Thursday.
"I know there's a lot of very strong competitors but I feel very good," Ricco said.
"It is important for me to win stages and my legs are very good. I think I am very competitive."